The month is now September, and the chill wind that blows against my face is letting me know that fall is on its way. Slowly it approaches. Inevitably it crawls. The streets are empty and echo with the chatter of distant magpies as someone plays the guitar behind closed doors. Sounds Spanish somehow. I’m in the middle of getting ‘Damned Lovers’ proofread. Had a phone conversation with an American chap about how much it would cost. Made me cry a little inside, but it has to be done. He was calling from South Carolina. Said he liked the title, for which I thanked him. The internet keeps dropping, though, so I can’t pay the fee, which makes me swear and throw things around. Then the internet works again, but the transaction fails, so I have to call my bank, but I’m tired and irritable, so I’ll call them tomorrow after work. Everything is a ball ache, so I abuse myself in an attempt to feel better while thinking of a woman I’ve never met but of whom I dreamt about last night. Was one of those dreams where there’s no logic, but everything makes sense. She had these perfect teeth, and her flesh was both warm and soft beneath my touch. Was supposed to work on the front cover for ‘Lovers, but I’m tetchy. Nothing good happens when I’m like this, so I do my best to keep as still as possible so as not to provoke myself. Earlier in the day, I saw some video that detailed the effects of the sudden removal of humans from Earth. Within a few million years, all traces of our occupation will have been completely wiped out. Made me smile to think of all the animals enjoying themselves without us butchering them, but then it made me sad because I want to be there with the animals as well. I want to be completely untouched and free to be who I want to be, but instead, I’m here with the rest of them, dissolving at the hands of their toxic ways. There’s a grave I walk past on my way back from work in the local cemetery. The weathered name is old. Over one hundred and fifty years old, in fact. Mary Squire, it reads. She died in 1834 at the age of eighty-seven. Who was she? What kind of person was this woman who’s been dead for over a century and a half? Did she ever think some mental writer would be thinking of her so long after she breathed her last? Did she ever touch herself while looking up at the stars in the glory of her youth? I hope she did.
Categories: Lucid
Author S. K. Nicholas 
You have quite a spectacular talent – if and when your book comes out – I will most definitely buy
I wish you every bit of the moon, young man – I know you will meet high acclaim – your thoughts, your words are raw, real, ethereal yet heartfelt – intoxicating often
to you and your every success and yes, that fucking internet connection likes to test one’s resolve
don’t let it ever stop you
am:)
You’re very thoughtful- thank you.
Hopefully it’ll be done for late October, early November- depending on if the internet feels like it wants to work, that is.
I’m touched by your words, and hold them close to my heart. They mean a lot to me, and make me smile.
So thank you once more my friend x
Your writing style has every bit of a writer’s touch to it. I hope your novel comes out early. Good luck.
Thank you very much. I’m touched by your kindness, and yes, hopefully it will 🙂
Ball ache indeed. Good to get it professionally proofed though. Can’t wait to read the book when it’s out. She must have been wealthy to live that long in that age. And hopefully she did.
Thank you! Yeah, it’s expensive, but I couldn’t bear the idea of there being a typo on the first page. I took a photo of her grave as well. Will put it on instagram later 🙂 x
All writers I know do it. It’s the best way. Haha I understand that. The horror! You want to give your words the best chance in the world. Ohh good! I look forward to seeing it 🙂 X
I’m glad you do 🙂
Hopefully it will be a good read. Very much a glimpse of how things came to be in regards to my writing. Makes me feel old just thinking about it x
The sky’s the limit for you!
And for all of us I hope x
x
I hope she did too!
I can imagine the tension regarding the book though…you’re so close now! It’s incredibly exciting and worth all this low-grade anxiety x 💜
I hope so 🙂
My way to ease the stress is to soak in the bath listening to The Cure ❤